SHERBURNE – During a Sherburne-Earlville Board of Education meeting held last Monday, a presentation was given on progress made over the past year in transitioning the school’s Talented and Gifted program (TAG) into a more inclusive course of study.
Prior to this school year, TAG targeted only a select portion of the student body. Last year, however, the board requested that Jonathan Sherry, the school’s TAG teacher, revise the program to reach a greater quantity of the district’s students. Since then, Sherry has been providing enrichment and “pushing” into classrooms. By visiting classrooms and supplementing the course material with knowledge outside the parameters of the state department of education’s standards, enrichment has supplied students with a more comprehensive context for their lessons.
Some of the issues taught include an analysis of the 2012 United States presidential election, as well as a contrast of Chinese and American cultures.
“Sherburne-Earlville’s Talented and Gifted Program is evolving toward a Schoolwide Enrichment Model, as developed by leading gifted education visionary, Joseph Renzulli,” said Sherry. “The Schoolwide Enrichment Model aims to intellectually and creatively enrich the academic experience for all learners. The fundamental argument is that a rising tide lifts all ships. S-E remains committed to engaging the mind and imagination of all students in unique and relevant ways.”